Photo: Volvo
This just in from the rumor mill: the Swedish carmaker is planning to export the long wheelbase version of the S60 to the United States and Russia, with the first examples slated to be delivered as early as 2015.
However, this is not the first time Volvo hinted at exporting Chinese-built cars on more traditional markets. If memory serves you well, previous Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby has declared three years ago that the manufacturer intends to build cars in China that'll ultimately be exported to the United States and Russia.
Currently owned by Chinese group Zhejiang Geely Holding, Volvo builds a long wheelbase version of the second-generation S60 four-door sedan at its Chengdu plant in China. Bearing the S60L moniker, the elongated variant of the Swedish sedan also spurred a plug-in hybrid variant riding on the same 2,856-mm wheelbase, which is 80 millimeters longer than the standard model.
If you consider that the Volvo S60 has a sticker price of $33,300 for the 2.0-liter T5 Drive-E front-wheel drive model and the China-only entry-level S60L starts from 269,600 yuans ($43,285), then you should expect a hefty price bump over the standard wheelbase model when the S60L lands on U.S. soil sometime next year.
Even though the Volvo S60L Plug-in Hybrid will arrive in Chinese dealerships at the beginning of 2015, reports indicate that it will cost at least 320,000 yuans, translating to a hefty $51,377 according to current exchange rates. If Volvo and Geely decide the hybrid is U.S. material as well, then expect those $51,377 to hike considerably.
But Chinese-American Volvo exports don't end here, oh no. The all-new 2015 Volvo XC90 is preparing for production in China as well, where the Geely-owned automaker has an assembly plant in the city of Daqing. According to a high ranking official, the U.S.-spec 2015 Volvo XC90 will be built in this factory as well.
Currently owned by Chinese group Zhejiang Geely Holding, Volvo builds a long wheelbase version of the second-generation S60 four-door sedan at its Chengdu plant in China. Bearing the S60L moniker, the elongated variant of the Swedish sedan also spurred a plug-in hybrid variant riding on the same 2,856-mm wheelbase, which is 80 millimeters longer than the standard model.
If you consider that the Volvo S60 has a sticker price of $33,300 for the 2.0-liter T5 Drive-E front-wheel drive model and the China-only entry-level S60L starts from 269,600 yuans ($43,285), then you should expect a hefty price bump over the standard wheelbase model when the S60L lands on U.S. soil sometime next year.
Even though the Volvo S60L Plug-in Hybrid will arrive in Chinese dealerships at the beginning of 2015, reports indicate that it will cost at least 320,000 yuans, translating to a hefty $51,377 according to current exchange rates. If Volvo and Geely decide the hybrid is U.S. material as well, then expect those $51,377 to hike considerably.
But Chinese-American Volvo exports don't end here, oh no. The all-new 2015 Volvo XC90 is preparing for production in China as well, where the Geely-owned automaker has an assembly plant in the city of Daqing. According to a high ranking official, the U.S.-spec 2015 Volvo XC90 will be built in this factory as well.
Google News